Nezura 1964 2020

Kickoff: documentary and project pitch

Assistant director Kazuaki Yukawa introduces a documentary about an upcoming Daiei film. The executives seek a fresh concept to complement existing franchises, setting a high-stakes tone for the project. This kickoff frames Giant Horde Beast Nezura as an ambitious, idea-driven venture.

Initial ideas form; approval and pressure

Special effects director Yonejiro Tsukaji pitches a lavish kaiju movie. CEO Yuichi Nagano is impressed and approves the idea with enthusiasm. Director Mitsuo Muraoka warns that a competitor has already released a kaiju film, adding competitive pressure.

Zoo visit to scout monster inspiration

Tsukaji and Yukawa visit a Tokyo zoo to find a creature to base the monster on. None of the animals resonate with their concept, leaving them without a clear creature to feature. The search for a different, mundane basis for the monster continues.

Rats chosen as the basis for the monster

After Yuichi watches a film featuring birds, he suggests using a mundane animal for the monster. He and Tsukaji settle on rats and announce the decision at the August 5 meeting.

Start of test footage; domesticated rats prove troublesome

Daiei begins filming test footage on October 10 using domesticated rats, but the animals prove hard to control. The team decides to switch to wild rats and Tsukaji travels to downtown Tokyo to capture footage. The initial tests validate the viability of the concept.

Wild rats succeed; project proceeds

Tsukaji captures wild rats in downtown Tokyo, and the footage proves successful. Yuichi is delighted with the results and approves the project to proceed. The team advances to further production steps.

Roles assigned; new Nezura prop commissioned

Muraoka is assigned as director, with Tsukaji handling special effects. Tsukaji then meets sculptor Takiyama to commission a life-sized Nezura prop. Daiei staff also constructs a Mammoth Nezura puppet for on-screen action.

Public announcement and January release plan

Yuichi records a public announcement of the film, signaling a January release. The studio outlines the production timeline and builds anticipation for Giant Horde Beast Nezura. This public messaging cements the project within Daiei's lineup.

Rat collection push and warehouse growth

To keep up with production demands, Daiei offers the public ¥50 for every rat they bring in. Cages begin filling a small warehouse as the supply of rats grows, reshaping the on-set environment.

Prop and puppet progress

Takiyama completes the human-sized Nezura prop, and the Mammoth Nezura puppet is built by Daiei staff. The team prepares the puppets for upcoming filming sequences and visual effects work.

Table read and space-themed script elements

Actors Utsumi, Michiko Ogata, Junko Kamei, and Schmidt join a table read. Screenwriter Hasebe's story includes a joint US-Soviet lunar expedition, aligning space exploration thematically with the film’s premise.

Space-lab experiments spawn ravenous monsters

Mikami Space Laboratory's experiments on rats intended to create a space food organism instead yield ravenous monsters. The Nezura creatures escape the lab and rampage through Tokyo, escalating the production's stakes.

On-set chaos and public health concerns

A Mammoth Nezura battles the smaller rats while the JSDF moves to contain the threat. Fleas and disease infect the rats, forcing many crew members to wear masks during filming. The escalating chaos creates mounting production challenges.

Protests and termination letter

Citizens living near the studio protest on October 25, worried about disease spread. On November 3, Daiei receives a stern letter from the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health recommending the film's termination.